NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, September 3rd: Damian Lillard believes LeBron is better than Westbrook, Joe Johnson could return to the Nets and more

The 2019-20 NBA season will get underway next month, and the upcoming campaign is gearing up to be among the most exciting in recent memory after a flurry of major moves in free agency.

Nevertheless, plenty could still happen between now and opening night, and the likes of Kevin Love and Bradley Beal are expected to be targeted by teams attempting to force themselves into title contention. Due to this, major moves are expected in the next six weeks, and here is all the latest NBA news and rumors you need to know for September 3rd.

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#1 Damian Lillard explains why Russell Westbrook isn't the best player in the NBA despite averaging a triple-double

Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers eliminated Westbrook and the Thunder back in April

During the 2019 playoffs, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook faced off in one of the best point guard battles in recent history. Lillard eventually came out on top as he eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder with a memorable buzzer-beating shot in Game 5, although Westbrook ended the season as the only person in NBA history to average a triple-double in three-consecutive seasons.

Nevertheless, during a recent appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, Lillard expressed his belief that Westbrook's historic numbers do not make him the best player in the NBA:

It’s hard to do, so having that type of energy, being in that type of shape to get 10 rebounds, to get 10 assists and to score 10 points... that doesn’t make you the best player, just because you can do stuff like that that other people can’t do. That’s like athleticism and heart. That don’t make you the best player though.

Lillard instead named current Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James as the NBA's best player. During the 18-19 season, LeBron averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Westbrook managed 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.

#2 Joe Johnson to work out with 3 NBA teams

Joe Johnson was named MVP during the latest edition of the BIG3 tournament

The BIG3 tournament has just come to an end, and this year's edition of the competition was a wild success. A number of the competing players have been linked with an NBA return after putting in a series of impressive performances, and ESPN is reporting that three teams will audition Joe Johnson:

Fresh off an MVP and championship campaign in the BIG3, veteran swingman Joe Johnson is scheduled to work out for three NBA teams. Johnson will audition for three Eastern Conference playoff teams from a year ago in the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets

Johnson last played in the NBA during the 2017-18 season and previously enjoyed five years with the Nets. In total, the 38-year-old has made more than 1200 regular-season appearances, averaging 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

#3 Jalen Rose believes the Miami Heat will soon be in a position to compete

Jimmy Butler is heading to South Beach after a successful spell with the Sixers

The Miami Heat pulled off the offseason's most unlikely deal when they completed a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler. After adding one of the NBA's biggest talents, the Heat have since set out to sign a second All-Star, with Bradley Beal among the names linked with a move to Miami. While some have doubted their ability to land another star, ESPN analyst Jalen Rose told the Palm Beach Post that he was confident a player such as Beal would arrive:

You see how fast they added an All-NBA player that nobody saw coming. All of a sudden, they’re rejuvenating their roster... If it’s Beal and Wall, you definitely take them. Regardless, I think Miami will remake their roster and continue to put themselves in position to go from playoff team to contending-level team.

Miami finished the 18-19 season with a 39-43 record. This was only enough to finish 10th, and the Heat have only won one playoff series since LeBron James exited the team back in 2014.